effect.

"I shall not be there, Helen. I cannot even wish you joy, for there
can no joy ever come in disobeying the Church, whose voice is the voice
of God himself."

"As you please," she replied, coldly; "but croak no more to-night. You
are like a bird of ill-omen to me."

May sighed, and retired to her oratory, to say her night prayers.




CHAPTER X.

THE WARNING.

One morning Mr. Stillinghast was sitting alone in his counting-room,
when Michael, the porter, came in, and informed him that a man wished
to speak to him.

"Tell him to come in," he replied, moodily.

"Here he is, sir," said Michael, returning in a few minutes with a man,
who had a saw slung over his arm.

"What is your business with me?" said Mr. Stillinghast.

"And didn't your honor sind afther me?"